Hernia support



March 1, 1960 A. WATSON 2,926,664

HERNIA SUPPORT Filed March 27. 1959 INVENTOR. RTHUR VVA-,30N

HERNIA SUPPORT Arthur Watson, Eldorado, Ill. Application March 27, 1959, Serial No. 802,430

1 Claim. (Cl. 12S-100) This invention relates to a hernia support.

The object of the invention is to provide a device which is adapted to be used for supporting a hernia, and wherein the use of straps under the legs is eliminated.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hernia support `which includes spring members that are capable of a slight degree of movement or llexibility so as to give lirm and proper support to the lower part of the abdomen.

A further object of the invention is to provide a hernia support which is extremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

United States Patent O 2,926,664 iiatented Mar. 1, 1960 ice elfective Way in which it functions and also from the point of view of comfort for the user. Heretofore supports or trusses required the use of a strap around the leg or legs, and these straps often irritated the skin and were difficult to hold in place due to the normal body movements. Furthermore, when any parts of existing devices were moved or displaced due to such body movements, the effectiveness of the support was destroyed and the closure is opened and once the closure is opened, the wearer is in danger of strangulation. of the hernia or discomfort which would necessarily attend such a displacement and it is not believed that existing trusses or supports function in a Satisfactory manner.

The present invention works upon a spring principle and in case of a bilateral inguinal hernia, the two spring members 13 withA the stationary attachment on the nor- Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description. Y

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the hernia support of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional View taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary perspective view showing certain constructional details of the present invention.

Figure 4 is an elevational View showing the hernia support of the present invention being used.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional View illustrating the present invention.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the hernia support of the present invention is shown-comprising a belt 10 which has a pair of spaced apart support members 11 mounted thereon. The numeral 12 indicates a body member which is aixed lto the support members 11 in any suitable manner, and secured to the support members 11 are spring members which are indicated generally by the numeral 13.

Each of the spring members 13 has the same construction and each includes an upper rst portion 14 which terminates in a lower coiled portion 15, and depending from the coiled portion 15 is a second portion 16 which` terminates in an angularly arranged third portion 17. The inner end of each of the portions 17 is enlarged as at 18 so to dene a shoulder, and the shoulders 18 are adapted to engage circular sections 19 on the body member 12.

In Figure 4 the numeral 20 indicates a portion of a person wearing the hernia support of the present invention. y

From the foregoing, it is apparent that there has been provided a hernia support, and in use, the belt 16 is adapted to be arranged around a persons Waist, as for example as shown in Figure 4. The spring members 11S i are suitably fastened to the pair of support members 11, and the shoulder portions 18 of the spring members 13 engage the built-up sections 19 on the body member 12 so that the proper amount of pressure will be exerted at the proper points on the persons body.

The parts can be made of any suitable material and in different shapes or sizes. l

The present invention will provide an edective support for a hernia or rupture, and it is believed to be advantageous over existing trusses or supports due to the mal waist belt level with the tension exerted on the supporting pad 12 will accomplish the desired purposes. By adjustment, the device will serve two ruptures or hernias either high or low or wherever the same may appear. The springs 13 are placed in line with the normal groin line so as to permit the utmost freedom of movement without danger of support displacement. Furthermore, when the device is properly tted, it cannot slip out of place with any normal body movement and will eliminate the disadvantages of leg straps.

The body member 12 may be stitched to the belt 10 as at 21. The sections 19 are built up to give the proper support. The supporting pad or member 12 is constructed so that it will conform to the curvature of the thighs and body and the spring members 13 act to apply pressure in such a way as to remove the use of straps under the legs and the springs 13 can llex or move back and forth slightly and also exert the necessary upward pressure to give rm support to the lower part of the abdomen.

The belt 10 is adapted to be made of elastic matev rial and it is fastened with a loop and hook. Portions 14 of the spring members at the top arel welded to the members 11. The members 11 are not of closed formation and are in the form of a loop through which the belt passes. The spring tension or pressure can be increased or decreased by means of an adjustment device. The numeral 22 indicates a wedge shaped member which is adapted to slip and fasten under that portion of the member 14 which is near the coil where it comes in contact with the member 11. The loop or coil 15 has its Minor changes in shape, size and rearrangement of details coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, 4if desired.

I claim:

ln a hernia support, a belt, a pair of spaced apart support members mounted on Said belt in circumjacent relation thereto, a body member secured to the inner surfaces of said support members, a pair of spaced apart spring7 members engaging said body member, each of said spring members including upper first portions terminating in lower coiled portions, second portions extending downwardly from said coiled portions and terminating in angularly arranged third portions that have Vthe lower ends thereof enlarged so as to provide shoulders, and circular built up sections on said body member for engagement by said shoulders.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 332,443 Schulz Dec. l5, 1885 340,822 Scheuerle e Apr. 27, 1886 447,378 Stickney Mar. 3, 1891 880,681 Meine Mar. 3,y 1908 1,051,325 Haile Jan. 21, 1913 2,237,939 `Klein Apr. 8, 1941 

